Food import dependency · Farming, harvest & inputs · 4 November 2026
Five bluefin tuna sold to public in Wales trial
Five bluefin tuna caught in Welsh waters have been processed and sold to the public for the first time, the Welsh Government has announced. The catch was part of a commercial-scientific trial. Participants are limited to vessels of 12 metres or under.
The Welsh Government has confirmed that five bluefin tuna landed at Milford Haven were sold locally for the first time. This development marks the initial commercial sale of the species in the country under a specific trial framework. Llyr Gruffydd, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, said: "These landings show how our fishers can combine tradition with science to build a sustainable future for bluefin tuna in Wales, and deliver locally caught fish to Welsh customers."
The fish were processed in Burry Port and sold at a walk-in fish market as well as through home delivery. The trial draws on a separate portion of the UK's 2026 bluefin tuna quota, meaning it does not affect the allocations of other fisheries. Teddy Whitall, Managing Director of Whitfish Ltd, noted that the sale represents the start of a new chapter for Welsh fishing. Fishers remain hopeful of landing further tuna in the coming weeks, weather permitting.
Participation in the trial is restricted to fishers holding a valid UK commercial fishing licence who do not already possess a bluefin tuna licence or permit. Vessels used must be 12 metres or under, and trips are capped at a maximum duration of 24 hours. Only rod and reel methods are permitted, and every catch must be recorded in detail. Landings are restricted to designated Welsh ports, specifically Milford Haven and Holyhead.
The announcement does not specify how long the trial will run beyond the current sales or what the long-term regulatory status of bluefin tuna will be once the trial concludes.
Written by StreetOwl from Welsh Government’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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